False desk top



Dec. 31 1940. Q QLSTQN I 2,227,159

FALSE DESK TOP Filed Feb. 12, 1938 Patented Dec. 31, 1940 K UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,227,150 FALSE DESK 'ror Otto Olston, Denver, 0010.

Application February 12, 1938, Serial No. 190,199

2 Claims. (Cl. 45-4583) My invention relates in general to false desk tops and methods of attaching the same to-new or used desks and has particular reference to desk top covers of the type illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,783,675, issued December 2, 1930, granting to S. J. Roberts, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, a patcut on a School desk and seat cover. Specifically, my invention resides in modifying the device described in the aforesaid patent in such a manner that, in addition to merely holding a writing pad or cover in removable position, my invention employs a novel construction to provide a false desk top as a single, compact and complete assembly ready for instant, convenient installation by simply sliding it into position on a desk top, instead of being composed of numerous, piecemeal, segregated parts requiring mechanical skill for attaching the same to a desk, as is the case with the said Roberts invention and divers other methods commonly used in attaching a. cover toa desk top; and further to provide a false desk top adapted to be handled as a complete commercial article, through the usual channels of 25 trade and transportation.

The principal object of my invention is to provied a novel false desk top adapted to be manufactured as a complete assembly ready for instant and easy installation on a desk, without further expense to the user.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a false desk top the parts of which may be readily detached when worn, marred or damaged, and replaced by new parts.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a false desk top of simplified, rugged construction and of substantial, durable material to prevent damage or distortion in handling the device from maker to user.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a false desk top that can be manufactured and sold at a minimum cost so as to make it practicable for use as a new top or worn or damaged desk tops and for protection against wear and tear for new desks.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a false desk top for new or used desks having, for its writing surface a detachable, renewable panel of linoleum or other approved composition material of proper color forprotecting the eyesight, of proper resilience and resistant to scuffing, scratching and ordinary wear.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a novel false desk top adapted to be adopted by desk manufacturers as standard equipment to increase the usable life of their desks by renewing the writing surface when worn from use.

Another particularly important object of my invention is to provide a false desk top with detachable, renewable writing panel of eye-resting, sight-protecting color, non-glaring material such as green linoleum, durable, nonscratchable and non-scuffable, adapted to be installed on worn, marred and mutilated desk tops in public schools, whereby such desks may be restored to as-goodas-new condition at small cost, as compared with the cost of new desks.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is more fully understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a perspective View of a segment of a desk showing a desk top with my invention installed thereon.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my invention completely assembled and ready for installation on a desk of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the metal member of the invention adapted to engage the edges of the writing panel and tosecure the same in position, and also adapted to slidably engage the three exposed edges of a desk top of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the composition writing panel before being mounted in the metal member shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of that part of the metal member of the invention that over-laps the fourth edge of the writing panel when mounted.

Figure 6 is a cross-section view of the metal member through the line 6-6 in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a cross-section view of the metal member through the line 1- -1 in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a cross-section View of a segment of a desk top with the invention installed thereon showing the manner in which the writing panel is held in position and how the border of the metal member clampingly engages the edge of the desk top.

To illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawing, a segment of a desk of the type commonly used in the public schools with my false desk top installed thereon. I designates that part of the metal member that clampingly engages the three exposed borders of the desk top.

2 designates the composition writing panel held in position by means of the metal member.

To further illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawing, Figure 2, my novel false desk top assembled and ready to be installed on a desk of the type shown in Figure 1. 3 designates the metal cross-strip that over-laps the fourth edge of the writing panel-2. 5 designates the outer surface of the metal member. 8 designates the channel that engages the edges of the desk top. 9 designates the holes for screws to be driven through and into the desk top to help secure the device to the desk. It designates the lower flange of the frame-like border of the metal member which over-laps the under surface of the desk edge.

6 designates the sheet metal panel portion that lies in contact with the top surface of the desk top when the device is installed thereon and comprises the base upon which the construction of the invention depends. 4, 5 and I0 designate the frame-like border portion of the metal member and is an integral part thereof by being welded, die-cast, folded or otherwise constructed thereto on three edges of the sheet metal panel portion 6. The space between the panel 6 and the flange 4 forms the channel 1 adapted to receive therein and clampingly engage three edges of the writing panel 2 in slidable, detachable relationship thus providing a simple and convenient means of renewing the writing panel 2, if and when the same ecomes worn or marred, without otherwise disassembling the device. The space between the panel 6 and the flange Ill-forms the channel 8 adapted to engage the three exposed borders of the desk top in slidable, detachable, clamping relationship thereto. 7

For purposes of illustration I have shown my false desk top adaptable for a desk of certain type, only, that is to say, the type of desk most commonly used in our elementary public schools, but it will be apparent that my invention is not limited to any particular type of desk but may be embodied in a. false desk top adapted to be used on any type of desk, whether new or used, having a flat top with three or more borders exposed.

One of the principal advantages of the false desk top of my invention resides in the simplicity of construction whereby the parts may be most easily assembled and disassembled and a worn part replaced by a new part and the further advantage of providing my invention as a single, complete assembly ready for instant, easy installation on a new or used desk without disfiguring or altering the same, and adaptable for being handled through the usual channels of trade and transportation.

Itwill be apparent that changes may be made in the construction and form of my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a demountable cover for a desk a sheet metal panel having a border of channel cross section attached along three edges thereof, the flanges of said channel border being turned inwardly, said channel border being positioned to leave a space between the upper flange and said sheet metal panel wherein a pad may be slidably inserted, and a space between the lower flange and said sheet metal panel which is adapted to slidably receive a desk top.

2. A desk cover as described in claim 1 in which a metal strip is attached at its ends to the ends of said upper flanges of said channel border along the fourth side of said panel, said strip serving to fasten a pad within the space between said upper flanges and said panel.

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